Feb 22, 2022 11:34 AM EST By David Thompson, UniversityHerald Reporter

It's not hard to see why so many people relish the opportunity to leave jobs for which they have no passion. Still, while feeling elation at the prospect of exiting an unsatisfying job is perfectly understandable, this doesn't mean you should regard decorum as an afterthought. Regardless of how much you dislike your current job, departing in an overblown and/or self-satisfied manner is unlikely to serve you well long-term. So, if you'll soon be parting ways with your current employer, make an effort to avoid the following mistakes.  

Not Using Up Remaining Vacation Days 

If you don't use up remaining vacation time or sick days before departing your job, you'll never have another chance to do so. So, if you have the opportunity to get paid for taking time off, why not take it? Paid vacation time is one of the benefits you're eligible to receive as an employee, and the fact that you'll soon be leaving your job doesn't mean you shouldn't allow yourself to enjoy it. 

This would also be an opportune time to get any upcoming doctor visits or dental appointments out of the way. Once you start your new job, you may have to wait a while for your benefits to take effect, so you'd do well to put your current insurance coverage to good use. Additionally, if you've been using your employer-provided insurance to treat a disability, make sure to look into long term disability insurance options in advance of losing your current coverage. 

Not Providing Advance Notice of Your Departure 

While feeling no personal attachment to a job you dislike is understandable, you should still display courtesy and consideration when making your exit. Among other things, this entails providing your employer with advance notice of your departure. Ideally, you should let them know as far in advance as possible, but at the very least, you should provide them with two weeks' notice, as this will give them a decent window of time in which to recruit and train a suitable replacement.    

If time is of the absolute essence, take care to get your boss's blessing before departing ahead of the two-week window. If you put forth the request in a thoughtful, apologetic manner, there's a good chance they'll agree to it. 

Not Cleaning Work-Issued Devices

In the leadup to your departure date, you'll need to thoroughly clean any work-issued devices. This means getting any and all personal files or data off of work-issued phones, computers and tablets. If you've been using these devices for years, you may have come to regard them as yours. However, it's important to remember that they belong to your employer and should not be viewed as your personal property. 

In addition to being incredibly unprofessional, leaving personal data on work-issued devices stands to result in your private information being compromised. So, for the sake of your professional reputation and online security, make sure every work-issued device currently in your possession is bereft of your personal data by the time it's returned.  

Not Having Another Job Lined Up 

Leaving a job without having another one lined up can be an extremely risky venture. Even if you have a decent amount in savings, you may be surprised by how quickly your finances can be depleted when no new money is coming in. If you're truly interested in expanding your earning power, consider earning an advanced degree before quitting your current job. With so many schools offering convenient online degree programs, continuing your education doesn't even have to entail leaving your home. Mile-High City residents looking to earn an MBA in Denver can find a wide range of attractive options.  

Exiting a job you don't like is unquestionably a personal victory. While working is generally a tedious experience, remaining in a job that brings you zero satisfaction can be truly disheartening. At the same time, being discourteous, indifferent or outright mean while making your exit isn't going to do you any favors. The small sense of superiority you feel in the short term isn't worth the long-term consequences such behavior is likely to bring about. So, in the interest of preserving your professional reputation and saving yourself a great deal of stress, take care to avoid the blunders discussed above.

See Now: Covert Team Inside Newsweek Revealed as Key Players in False Human Trafficking Lawsuit